Maxine Frances Scheiber

All who knew Maxine Frances Scheiber would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She lived to selflessly serve others, and she considered it an honor and a privilege to do so. A longtime resident of her community, Maxine was warm, genuine, and gracious, which drew others near with ease. She was blessed to spend the majority of her life with her true love, and together they witnessed their family tree blossom to include the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren she adored. Life will never be the same without Maxine here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that is deeply rooted in faith, compassion, and unconditional love that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

Although the 1920s were a highly prosperous time in America, the 1930s were a much different story as they were defined by the harsh realities of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and things only became more trying when a drought crippled our nations heartland for nearly two years during this time. Despite the trials around them, Phillip J. and Genevieve M. (Schiffli) Herber were filled with great excitement as they welcomed the baby girl they named Maxine Frances into their hearts and home on October 25, 1932, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was one of 15 children in her family and spent her earliest years on the family farm south of Ft. Wayne. After her eighth grade year, Maxine decided to move to Mishawaka where she attended St. Francis High School and became a novitiate of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. After graduating in 1950, Maxine taught at some of the Catholic schools.

New and exciting changes were in store for Maxine when she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Donald J. Scheiber, and they met while at a going away party for a mutual friend who was joining the Army. The couple struck up an engaging conversation, and that led to numerous letters going back and forth between Ft. Wayne and Mishawaka where she was living. They fell in love over time, and with a desire to establish a life together the sweethearts were married on January 2, 1954, at St. Josephs Hessen Cassel Catholic Church in Ft Wayne.

After Don was offered a scholarship to Notre Dame in South Bend, the newlyweds moved to the area where Don completed his PhD in physics. They lived in married housing in an old prisoner of war camp that was renamed Vet Ville and were blessed with the births of their first two children. After graduating, Don was offered a fellowship with the National Bureau of Standards, and the young family moved to Bethesda, Maryland, in 1957. There, they welcomed three more children, and in 1962 Don accepted a position with Magnavox, which brought their family back to Ft. Wayne. Soon after, their family was completed with the births of three more children. In 1976, they moved to Whitley County, and in 2014 they moved to their current home.

There was never of anything of greater significance in Maxines life than her family. She loved being a mother and found her greatest joy when she was surrounded by her family. In addition to her own eight children, Maxine also fostered three additional children. She always kept a clean home, and her skills in the kitchen were fantastic as well. Among Maxines favorite dishes were her shrimp casserole, potato salad, and cookies. Everything she made was simply amazing, and she never even needed to use a recipe. Feeding people was like a hobby for Maxine as she always asked others if they would like a cookie, a bite to eat, or something to drink. No matter who they were, she was always a nurturer who wanted to care for others. She kept track of all the important dates and could always find the perfect card for any and every occasion. When going to a birthday party for a child, she always brought a gift for all the children there so that no one would feel left out. Maxine also enjoyed gardening.

For as long as she was able, Maxine maintained an active lifestyle. She was a devout Catholic who was active in many parish ministries as well as a member of St. Francis Xavier Church in Pierceton before becoming a parishioner of St. Paul of the Cross in Columbia City in 2014. Maxine was a strong supporter of Right to Life and enjoyed listening to spiritual music. After moving to Whitley County, Maxine spent some time working at First Class Child Care at Mary Raber Elementary in Columbia City and also at the Larwill Post Office. Additionally, she volunteered at Millers Merry Manor in Columbia City. Maxine enjoyed visiting the East Coast as they took trips to Washington, D.C., West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and the New Orleans area.

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Maxine Scheiber made a significant impact in the lives of everyone she met. She was someone who was content in whatever life brought, and her faith was the compass she used to direct her steps. Maxine was a compassionate servant and nurturer, and there was no one who met her and left unchanged. Deeply loved, she will never be forgotten.

Maxine Frances Scheiber, of Columbia City, IN and formerly of Larwill, died at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2016 at her home. Maxines family includes her husband, Dr. Don Scheiber; children, Michael J. (Cathy) Scheiber of Coeur d Alene, ID, David J. (Sharon) Scheiber of Churubusco, Susan M. Woodward of Columbia City, Victoria M. Anweiler of Huntington, Doa M. (Nicholas) Reust of Columbia City, Joseph J. (Cindy) Scheiber of Kimmel, Elizabeth M. (Dr. Mark) Rudin of Boise, ID, and James J. (Jeni) Scheiber of Roanoke; sisters, Mary M. Armstrong of CO, Helene Jacquay of Auburn, Joann Nesler of Tucson, AZ, Rosemary Stout of FL, Jane Eisberg of Green Valley, AZ, and Barbara Smith of Ft. Wayne; brothers, Jerome A. Herber of Ft. Wayne, Dr. Lawrence J. Herber of Alta Loma, CA, Fr. John Herber, CPPS of MO, and James Herber of Ft. Wayne; 24 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Anne Marie Cappelli, Carolyn Boyle and Phyllis A. Forbing; and brother, Joseph Herber.

Visitation will be from 2-3:45 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday, February 25, 2016, with a 4 p.m. Rosary Service at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S Line St, Columbia City with visitation one hour prior. Father Gary Sigler will be officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Larwill. Memorial gifts may be given in her memory to Foreign Missions Society of Precious Blood. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.